Simon Pegg has only just submitted first Star Trek 3 script

Simon Pegg has been discussing preparations for upcoming sequel Star Trek 3, and has revealed the first draft of the script has only just been submitted… some four weeks before filming is scheduled to begin.

Pegg told Radio Times that the existing script for the film has been completely scrapped when he came to rewrite it. "We started again six months before we were due to start shooting," says Pegg, "which is insane! In fact... we start shooting in Vancouver in four weeks – and we’re only handing in our first draft today."

As for what we can expect from the film, Pegg says that his approach has been to try to open the franchise up to a wider audience. "People don’t see it being a fun, brightly coloured, Saturday night entertainment like The Avengers," he explains. “Let’s make a western or a thriller or a heist movie, then populate that with Star Trek characters so it’s more inclusive to an audience that might be a little bit reticent."

Pegg will co-star alongside Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto et al in the new film, which is scheduled to open in the US on 8 July 2016. A UK date has yet to be confirmed.